Camphor sulfonic acid doped polyaniline-tin oxide hybrid nanocomposites: Synthesis,structural, morphological,optical and electrical transport properties

Camphor sulfonic acid (CSA) doped PANi–SnO₂ hybrid nanocomposites were synthesized by solid-state synthesis route with varying amounts (10–50%) of CSA. X-ray diffraction studies have proven the successful incorporation of CSA into the polyaniline–SnO₂ hybrid nanocomposites and the results are also supported by microstructural analysis. UV–visible and Fourier infrared spectroscopy studies have provided insight into the electronic interaction between the CSA, polyaniline, and SnO₂. The room temperature dc electrical conductivity of CSA-doped PANi–SnO₂ hybrid nanocomposite films were observed to depend on the amount of CSA doping and the morphology.     

Tetraphenylthiophene–thiazole-based π-conjugated polyazomethines: synthesis,characterization and gas sensing application

Polymer Bulletin - 2,5-Bis(4-(2-aminothiazole) phenyl)-3 and 4-diphenyltetraphenyl thiophene (TPTPThDA) are fine processed in three steps. A series of polyazomethines containing...     

Synthesis of Fe2O3 nanoparticles for nitrogen dioxide gas sensing applications

Iron (III) oxide, Fe₂O₃, nanoparticles of approximately 40 nm diameter were synthesized by sol–gel method and their nitrogen dioxide adsorption and desorption kinetics were investigated by custom fabricated gas sensor unit. The morphology and crystal structure of Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) respectively. The roughness of film surface was investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Relative sensitivity of Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles for NO₂ sensor was determined by electrical resistance measurements. Our reproducible experimental results show that Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles have a great potential for nitrogen dioxide sensing applications operating at a temperature of 200 °C.     

Use of genetic algorithms to develop an adaptive fuzzy logic controller for a cooling coil

An adaptive approach to control a water valve for a cooling coil, called an adaptive fuzzy logic controller (AFLC), is developed and validated in this study. The AFLC calculates the error between the supply air temperature and the supply air temperature set point for air in an air handling unit (AHU) of a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system and continues to improve the fuzzy controller parameters to minimize the error. The AFLC uses genetic algorithms (GAs) to improve the fuzzy rule matrix and fuzzy membership functions for the AHU in HVAC systems. In this paper, the application of genetic algorithms for developing the AFLC is presented. After a brief background on fuzzy logic controllers and GA theory, the use of GAs is explained. Three methods of modifying the fuzzy rule matrix using the GAs are presented along with simulation and real-time experimental results. Experimental results indicate that GAs can be successfully applied to modify an AFLC rule matrix to achieve a better controller.     

Detecting Power Imbalance in Multi-Cylinder Inline Diesel Engine Genset

A model of fuel injection adjustment for balancing the 4-stroke six cylinder diesel engine coupling geneset is developed by detecting imbalance in operating engine by the frequency analysis of the crankshaft＇s speed variation. In this work, the crankshaft is considered to be a rigid body, so that the variation of its angular speed could be directly correlated to the total gas-pressure torque. By analyzing only the lower harmonic orders, the speed variation spectrum can filter out the distortions produced by the dynamic response of the crankshaft. The information carried by these harmonic orders permits to establish correlations between measurements and the average gas pressure torque of the engine, and to detect imbalance and identify faulty cylinders. Detailed experimental reading are taken on diesel engine coupling genset on the test bed of Greaves Cotton Ltd Pane, India.     

Surface inhibition of double base rocket propellants with photocurable unsaturated esters

Inhibition of a double base propellant surface with a good percentage of nitro bodies in the propellant composition is a rather difficult process. One of the methods of inhibiting the surface is to use unsaturated polyesters with free radical cure having high exotherm as a barrier coating. This system has been improved by using a 1:1 mix of photocurable vinyl ester with pendant —OH groups and unsaturated polyester that underwent room temperature free radical cure. Adhesion of the barrier coat to the propellant surface through its —OH groups was stronger than the propellant strength itself. Additional layers of commercially available unsaturated polyester could be easily grafted on to the barrier coat through chemical cure.     

Performance evaluation of galvanostatically deposited nickel oxide electrode for electrochemical supercapacitors

Nanostructured nickel oxide (NiO) electrode has been prepared using electrochemical work station operated on galvanostatic mode in supercapacitor application. Crystalline cubic structure and nanoplate-type of morphology of synthesized NiO electrode was confirmed from X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy analysis respectively. The wettability study was tested by contact angle measurement, which reveals hydrophilic nature of NiO electrode with contact angle of 59°. The presence of nickel and oxygen characteristic bands in EDAX and XPS spectrum has corroborated the NiO formation. The supercapacitive properties of NiO electrode were tested by cyclic voltammogram (CV) in 1 M aqueous Na₂SO₄, KOH, NaOH electrolytes within the potential range of ??1.1 to 0.9 V, 0 to 0.4 V and ??1.2 to 0.4 respectively. The CV study demonstrates maximum specific capacitance of 481.16 Fg^??1 for 1 M Na₂SO₄. The obtained specific power, specific energy and coulombic efficiency values of NiO electrode are 19.48 kW kg^??1, 60.12 Whkg^??1, and 92.31%, respectively. In the meantime it exhibited excellent cycle life time with 92.3% specific capacitance kept after 1000 cycles. These results imply that NiO electrode is promising candidate for upcoming thin film supercapacitors and other microelectronic constructions.     

Nanostructured SnO2 thin films for NO2 gas sensing applications

We report the synthesis of nanostructured SnO₂ by a simple inexpensive sol–gel spin coating method using m-cresol as a solvent. This method facilitates rapid synthesis at comparatively lower temperature enabling formation of nanostructures suitable for gas-sensing applications. Various physicochemical techniques have been used for the characterization of SnO₂ thin films. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the single-phase formation of tetragonal SnO₂ having crystallite size 5–10 nm. SnO₂ showed highest response (19%) with 77.90% stability toward 100 ppm nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) at 200 °C. The response time of 7 s and recovery time of 20 min were also observed with the same operating parameters. The probable mechanism is proposed to explain the selective response toward nitrogen dioxide. Impedance spectroscopy studies showed that the response to nitrogen dioxide is mainly contributed by grain boundaries. The reproducibility and stability study of SnO₂ sensor confirmed its candidature for detection of NO₂ gas at low concentration (10–100 ppm) and lower operating temperature.     

Use of evolutionary strategies to develop an adaptive fuzzy logic controller for a cooling coil

In this paper, an evolutionary strategy approach is presented for tuning an AFLC to control the outlet temperature of a cooling coil. Two different methods, modifying scaling factors and modifying fuzzy membership functions, are studied. The simulation and real-time tests showed that evolutionary strategy techniques work well for evolving these AFLC parameters.     

Polypyrrole, α-Fe2O3 and their hybrid nanocomposite sensor: An impedance spectroscopy study

Polypyrrole (PPy), α-Fe₂O₃ and their hybrid nanocomposites have been successfully prepared using chemical polymerization, sol–gel and solid state synthesis method respectively. Films of PPy, α-Fe₂O₃ and PPy/α-Fe₂O₃ nanocomposites were deposited on glass substrates using spin coating technique and characterized using FTIR, XPS, FESEM, TEM techniques as well as their gas sensing performance were studied towards NO₂ gas. FTIR and XPS study confirms the formation of PPy, α-Fe₂O₃ and PPy/α-Fe₂O₃ hybrid nanocomposites. FESEM studies revealed that, the films consists of porous granular type of morphology. TEM analysis revealed that the hybrid composite is in nano range. Impedance spectroscopy studies in presence of air and after exposure of NO₂ gas were carried out on PPy, α-Fe₂O₃ and PPy/α-Fe₂O₃ hybrid nanocomposite films in the frequency range of 20 Hz–10 MHz. Impedance spectroscopy results demonstrate that, the impedance is mainly contributed by the potential barrier at grain boundaries of the films. With the help of impedance spectroscopy results, sensing mechanism between PPy, α-Fe₂O₃ and PPy/α-Fe₂O₃ hybrid nanocomposite films and NO₂ gas molecules was studied and explored.